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05-16-09, 06:42 AM
Hi all!
I'm new here so apologies if this is the wrong place to post this thread.
I'm in the process of upgrading, selling my Specialized S-Works M4 "Team Festina". Have it on eBay Oz, just search "Festina" is you wanna look.
Anyhoo, I'm looking at a Giant Defy Advanced 1. I'm a bit undecided with the gear ratios. The Festina currently has Ultegra 9 speed in 39/52 chain wheels & 13-25 cassette which took me 2-3 attempts over 3-4 years with re-builds to work out was a pretty good ratio for me (I never ever used the 53/12 so went for 52/13 as top gear & 39/25 gave me an extra 2 teeth for those "heart brake hills" otw home!).
The Giant Defy Advanced 1 comes standard with the "compact" (Euro Style?) gears being 34/50 chain wheels with 12-27 cassette. Mathematically, these gears give a wider spread at both ends of the spectrum..ie the 34/27 will enable me to cycle up vertical cliff faces and the 50/12 is slightly higher ratio than the 52/13. This will be more top end than I need but will give extra gears for the hills. If I opt for the 39/52 ~ 13-25 set in 10S, I pickup an 18 tooth gear that I never had with those gears in 9S. The 18 Tooth gear will be in the position I rode in mostly so will give me an extra option there.
My mate at the bike shop says everyone's going for these "Compact" gears and that they allow most riders to stay on the Large chain wheel for most of the time.
Like said, I will rarely use the 50/12 and I'm concerned the 34/27 is way too lower ratio for me.
Years ago, I had a Wheeler 7100 and I'm sure that had a 12-27 cassette but I can't recall the chain wheel sizes. If any one knows the Wheeler 7100 standard gear specs, please lemme know so I can compare and make a judgement call.
Any other advice welcome.
Tar!
Splitzzzzz
I'm new here so apologies if this is the wrong place to post this thread.
I'm in the process of upgrading, selling my Specialized S-Works M4 "Team Festina". Have it on eBay Oz, just search "Festina" is you wanna look.
Anyhoo, I'm looking at a Giant Defy Advanced 1. I'm a bit undecided with the gear ratios. The Festina currently has Ultegra 9 speed in 39/52 chain wheels & 13-25 cassette which took me 2-3 attempts over 3-4 years with re-builds to work out was a pretty good ratio for me (I never ever used the 53/12 so went for 52/13 as top gear & 39/25 gave me an extra 2 teeth for those "heart brake hills" otw home!).
The Giant Defy Advanced 1 comes standard with the "compact" (Euro Style?) gears being 34/50 chain wheels with 12-27 cassette. Mathematically, these gears give a wider spread at both ends of the spectrum..ie the 34/27 will enable me to cycle up vertical cliff faces and the 50/12 is slightly higher ratio than the 52/13. This will be more top end than I need but will give extra gears for the hills. If I opt for the 39/52 ~ 13-25 set in 10S, I pickup an 18 tooth gear that I never had with those gears in 9S. The 18 Tooth gear will be in the position I rode in mostly so will give me an extra option there.
My mate at the bike shop says everyone's going for these "Compact" gears and that they allow most riders to stay on the Large chain wheel for most of the time.
Like said, I will rarely use the 50/12 and I'm concerned the 34/27 is way too lower ratio for me.
Years ago, I had a Wheeler 7100 and I'm sure that had a 12-27 cassette but I can't recall the chain wheel sizes. If any one knows the Wheeler 7100 standard gear specs, please lemme know so I can compare and make a judgement call.
Any other advice welcome.
Tar!
Splitzzzzz